Rail anchor



Sept. 1,'1925. 1,551,690

F. A. PRES AAAAAAAA 0R Patented Sept. 1r, 192.5.y g i' UNITED, STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FREDERICK A. PRESTON, OP HIGHLAND PARK, ILLINOIS, AssIGNOR To 'PHE P & M

COMPANY, OP CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, 'A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

RAIL ANGIIOR.A v

TOaZZ whom t may omi/cern:

Be it known that I, FREDERICK A PRESTON,

a citizen'of the UnitedStates, residing at` Highland Park, inthe county.l of Lake and State yof Illinois, havefinvented certainy new anduseful Improveinents-inRail Ancho-rs,

of which the followingjisa specification.V

`My'invention relatesito rail anchors of the type adapted by Contact with a tie o-r other fixed part of thetrack to hold the rail from creeping or moving longitudinally.V vIt is the pricipal Object of myinven'tion to provide an improved form and arrangement of parts comprising a member applied to 'the flange of a rail from one side thereof, and a second ,member applied to the rail from the other side, one or both of such members having gripping engagement with the base flange of the rail, and said members having snap engagement witheach other, whereby they are heldinterlocked in their operative working positions with respect to the flange. Y f

It is another object of lmy invention rto improve devices of this type in Sundry details, hereinafter pointed out. The preferred meaus'by which I have accomplished my several objects are illustrated in the drawing and are hereinafter'specifically described.r `That whichv I believe to be new forth inithe claims. v

In the drawing, g Fig. `1 is a face view of the preferred form of `my improved rail anchor applied to a rail, which is shown in Section, the figure showing alsol by dotted lines the normal openingl of the awspof` the gripping' members. i

Fig. 2 is a face view ofone Of the members shown in Fig. 1, partly applied to a rail. i l

Fig. 3 is a fragmentaryview, showing one member of the anchorin final applied and desire to cover by Letters Patent is sety position, and with the other memberin its ber shown in Fig. 2.

Referring to the several figures of the drawing, in which corresponding parts .are

indicated by the same reference! characters,

10 and 11 indicate the ,opposite side portions of the base Harige of a rail, the head of which has been broken away for clearness of illustration. 1n Fig..1, therail is shown in position upon va cross tie 12 of'any approved type.

My improvedrail anchor comprises two members, oneof which is applied from the left in FigQl, and the other 'of which is applied from .the right. The first named member is shown comprising a cross plate or bar 13, provided with a depending platey I 141 whichserves as the abutment against the w tie 12. At its end portion, the bar 13 is provided `with a jaw 15 which is turned backwardly along the bar so as to grip the base fiange 10, the dotted line position in Fig. v1 showing the distortion to which the jaw is subjected in being driven into gripping position upon the flangel 10 from the left in Fig. 1. At its opposite end portion, the bar 13 isiprovided with an upwardly extending lug 16 which is preferably relatively low so as to avoid excessive distortion of the jaw 15 during itsapplication to a rail, but kwhich is ofy sufficient height tosnap into position opposite the edge of the base flange 11 when the member is-driven towardvthe right into its final operative position, as shown in Fig. 1. The member comprising the jaw 15, the tie abutment plate 14 and the, upward eX- teiision 16 is preferably made in the form of ra forging Yfrom a fairlylow grade steel, the arrangement beingsuch that. the member byitself ,when applied in its operative position,

as shown in Fig. 1, has a fairly strong grip upon'tlie rail and may be applied 'without danger of destroying the resiliency of the metal.-

`The other member of my improved anchor is in the form of a clip or yoke, comprising a. j aw or arm 17 adapted to engage ythe upper faceof the flange 11 and a jaw or arm 18 adapted to engage the bottom face of the bar 13. v f

As is clearly shown 'by' dotted lines in Fig.

` 1, the vopening between the jaws 17 and 18 is insufiicient normally for accommodating the thickness of'material between such jaws in their vapplied* position, as shown in Fig. 1. The result is that the clip comprising the arms 17 and 18 must be driven into position from the initial applied position, as shown in Fig. 3. Inasmuch as the clip 17-18 is to be formed as a forging fioin high grade steel, it Will be nndertsood that the resistance of the clip in'being driven into final operative position is very considerable, with the result that under ordinary normalconditions the arm 17 cuts into the flange 11, forming a transverse groove 19 therein. Villien the clip reaches its final operative position, as shown in Fig. 1, an upturnedYV lug or shoulder 2O formed on the end portion of the arm 1S snaps past a shoulder 21 formed on the bottom face of the bar 13 so as to have interlocking engagement therewith. The shoulder 21, like the shoulder 1G, is preferarbly of such height as to avoid lexcessive distortion of theclip 17 and thereby avoid any appreciable reduction in spring pressure ofthe clip when the lug 2O thereof snaps over the shoulder 21.

For holding the clip from slipping outv of engagementivitli the shoulder 21, ribs 22, 23 are provided extending longitudinally of the bar 13' at opposite endsV of the shoulder 21 for engagement ivitli opposite faces of Vthe arm 18, as will be readily understood.

By reason of the fact that the member comprising the arms 17 and 18 is formed of high carbon steel, such clip has a very strong grip upon the base flange, such grip being particularly effective for preventing longitudinal movement of the rail by reason of the fact that the arm 17 engages Within a groove 19, as above described. Also by reason of the stengtli of the clip, it Will be understood that the interlocking engagement betiveen the upivard extension 2,()l of the clip' and the shoulder 21 of the other member of the anchor is vvery strong, serving very effectively for holding the members in' their operative gripping engagement with the base flange of the rail.

By reason of having an interlocking ofV the tivo members, characterized by a. shoulder on one of thel members having snap enga-gement with a portion of the other member, the retention of the tivo members in operative position upon the flange is made muclifmore certain and much more reliable than is the case Jvlien reliance is placed upon the tight fit of the parts or upon the friction of the engagement, as is done in some instances inthe prior art. Furthermore, the shoulder 16, in addition to cooperating ivitli the jaw 15 to provide a firm grip on opposite edges of tlie rail base, serves as Van abutment to hold the bar 13 and jaw 15 from being displaced when the clip 17 is driven to its rail gripping position. So far as am aware, I am the first in the art to provide a construction of this type in which an actual interlocking of this type is 1novided, and I therefore desire to cover the feature broadly.

By providing a tivo part anchor, comprising one member formed of lovv grade metal and provided with the tie abutment, and a second member of high grade metal by which an effective gripping is obtained, the cost of the metal making up the anchor is very materially reduced, and the manufacture of the device is correspondingly facilitated. This feature is accordingly seen to be of very considerable importa-nce, and my claims to construed accordingly. Y'

lVhile I have shown the groove 19 as being cut in the top face of the flange by the clip during the application of the device to the rail I Wish to have it understood that 1 do not Wish to limit my invention to a depression in the form of a transverse groove, or to the production of suoli depression in any particular manner, except so far as the saine are specifically claimed; the important feature being that a part of the anchor engages a depression in thel rail at some point removed from'the edge of the flange. Y

iilhile I prefer to embody my invention in the form as illustrated in the drawing, it vviil be understood that 1 do not desire to be limited to the precise details of construction as there shown, except as the same is hereinafter specifically claimed, inasinuoli as it is evident that various changes might Well be made in the form of the device Without departing from the spirit of my invention.

I claim: Y

1. A rail anchor comprising a resilient member adapted to be driven from one side of a rail into resilient gripping engagement With the base flange, and a second member adapted to be driven from the other side of lthe rail into gripping` engagement with the Ybase flange and locking engagement Willi the Y first named member.

2. Ari-ail anchor Vcomprising a resilient member adapted to be driven laterally with respect to a. rail into resilient gripping engagement ivitli the base flange at one side thereof, a shoulder on said member adapted to snap into position opposite. the edge of the flange at the opposite side of the rail, anda second member adapted to be driven into gripping engagement with the flange from the side at which said shoulder is located and into locking engagement with the first named member.Y Y

3. A rail anchor comprising a resilient member adapted to be driven laterally 'with respect to a rail into resilient gripping cngagement ivith the base flange at one side thereof, a shoulder on said member adapted 'to snap into position opposite the edge of the flange at the opposite side of the rail, a second member adapted to be driven irte Vgripping engagement with the flange from the side at Which said shoulder is located, and a second shoulder on one of said members having snap engagement with a portion eoY 4. Arail anchor comprising a resilientv member adapted to .be driven from one side of a rail intoresilient gripping engagement` with the base flange, a secondmember adapted to be driven from the other side of the rail into gripping engagement with the Harige, and a shoulder on one `of said members past which a part of the other member is driven so as to have snap engagement therewithffor holding said two members in gripping v`position on the flange.

y5. A rail anchor `comprising a resilient member adapted to be driven from one side of a rail inrto resilient gripping engagement With the base flange, asec'ond member adapted tobe driven from', the other side of the rail into gripping engagement with thev flange, and shoulders on` said members re- Spectively adapted'by vsnap engagement with each other to hold said` members in gripping position `on fthe flange.'k

6. A rail anchor comprising 'a resilient member *adapted-to be `driven from one sideV of arail 'into resilientgripping engagement withv the base flange, and a second member adapted to be driven from the other side of the rail into position. embracing both .the flangeland ithe first named member and into locking engagement with the first nanied member.

7'. A rail 'anchor comprising a resilient member adapted to be driven from one side of a rail into position embracing the'base flange at that side with spring pressure, and a second member adapted to be driven from the other side of the rail into gripping engagement with the flange and gripping and locking engagement with the first named member. Y

8. A rail anchor comprising a resilient member adapted tobe driven from one side of a rail into resilient gripping engagement with the base flange, a second member adapted ito be driven from the other side of the rail into position embracing and gripping both the flange and kthe first named meniber, and a shoulder'on one of said members having snap engagement with a part ofthe other member for holding said two members in gripping position on the flange.;y

9. A rail anchor comprising a resilient member adapted tobe driven from one side of the rail invto resilient gripping engagement With the base flange, ak shoulder on said member adapted to snap into position oppositethe edge of the flange at the opposite side of the rail, a second memberA adapt ed to be driven from the side of the rail atV which said shoulder is located intoposition' embracing and gripping both the flange and forvholding said 'tivo members in gripping position on the flange.

10. A rail anchor comprising a resilient member adapted to be driven from one side 'of a rail into resilient gripping engagement With the base flange, a second member adapted 'to be driven' from the other side ot the rail into position embracing and grippii'ig both the flange and-the first named niember, and a shoulder onthe bofttom face of the first named member adapted to have snap'engagement With the end portion of the second member for holding said two members in' gripping position on the flange.

1l. A rail anchor comprising a resilient member adapted to be driven from one side of the railinfto resilient gripping engagement Withthe Vbase'flange, a shoulder on'said member adapted to snap into position oppositeV the edge of the flange at ythe opposite Vside ofthe rail,.a second member adapted to be'drivenfrom ithe side of the rail at i Which said shoulder is located into position embracing and gripping both the flange and thejfirst named member,'and a second shoulder on the bottom face of the Vfirstnamed member adapted to have snapL engagement with ithe end portion of the second member for holding said tivo members `in gripping -position on the flange.

12. Av rail anchor comprising a member adapted to vbe driven from one side of a rail v into gripping and locking engagement'ivith the base flange, a tie `abutment depending vand a second member formed of high grade steel adapted to bedriven from the other side of the rail into gripping engagement- With the base flange and locking engagement ivith the first named member.

14. In a rail-aiiclior, the combination of a member formed of loW grade steel comprising a jaw at one end adapted to be driven from one side of a rail into resilient grip-` ping engagement ivith the base' flange, a tie abutment depending from said` member, a second `member formed of high grade steel adapted to be driven vfrom thegother side of 'the rail into gripping engagement ivith the base flange, and a shoulder oli-one of said rmembers having snap engagement with a part of the other member for holding said tivoy members in gripping flange. f i

15. In a rail anchor, the ycombination of position on the a member formed of loiv grade steel comprising a jaw at one end adapted to be driven from one side of a rail into resilient gripping engagement with the base flange, a tie abutment depending from said member, va second member formed o f high grade steel adapted to be driven from the other side of the rail into gripping engagement With the base flange, and a shoulder on said first named member having snap engagement With the end portion of the other member for holding said tWo members in gripping position on the flange.

16. A rail anchor comprising a member adapted to be driven from one side of a rail into position embracing the base flange at that side, a second member of high grade steel adapted to be driven from the other side of the rail into gripping engagement With the flange, the arrangement being such that said second member in its movement into gripping positioncuts a groove in the upper face of the flange, and interlocking means on said tivo members for holding said second member in gripping position on the flange.

17. A rail anchor comprising a member adapted to be driven from one side of a rail into position embracing the base flange at that side, a second member of high grade steel adapted to be driven from the other side of the rail into gripping engagement. with the flange, the arrangement being such that said second member in its movement into gripping Aposition cutsv a groove in the upper Jface of the flange, and a shoulder on one of said members having snap engagement with a part of the other member for holding said second member in gripping position on the flange.

18. In a rail anchor, the combination of a member formed of loiv grade steel comprising a jaiv at one end adapted to be driven from one side of a rail into gripping engagement with the base flange, a tie abutment depending from said member, a shoulder on said member adapted to have snap engagement with the edge of the flange at the opposite side of the rail for holding said member in gripping position on the flange, a second member formed of high grade steel adapted to be driven from the other side of the rail into gripping engagement with the base flange, the arrangement being such that said second member in its movement into gripping position cuts a groove in the upper face of' the flange, and a second shoulder on said first named member having snap engagement with a portion of said second member for holding said two members in gripping position on the flange.

19. A rail anchor comprising a part adapted for engagement with a depression in the face of the rail at a point removed from the edge of the flange to hold the an- Chor from movement longitudinally of the rail, and means for holding the anchor from movement With respect to a tie.

20. A rail anchor comprising a member adapted to grip the base flange of a rail and adapted by engagement with a depression in the face of the rail at a point removed from the edge of the flange to hold the anchor from movement longitudinally of the rail, and means adapted by engagement With tie to hold the anchor in position.

21. A rail anchor 'comprising a part adapted by engagement With a transverse groove in one of the faces of the base flange of a rail at a point removed from the edge of the flange to hold the anchor from movement longitudinally of the rail, and means for holding the anchor from movement With respect to a tie.

22. A rail anchor comprising a clip adapted to embrace the base flange of a rail, the end of the clip being adapted by engagement with a transverse groove in one of the faces of the flange at a point removed from the edge of the 'flange to hold the anchor from movcnient longitudinally of the rail. and means for holding the anchor from movement with respect to a tie.

223. A. rail anchor comprising a jaw adapted to grip the base flange of a rail, said jaiv being adapted by engagement with a transverse groove in the upper face of the flange at a point -removed from the edge of the flange to hold the anchor from movement longitudinally of the rail, and means for holding the anchor from movement `vith respect to a tie.

fr rail anchor comprising a bearing for the top face of he base flange of a rail, a bearing for the bottom face of the flange, one of said bearings being adapted by engagement with a. depression in the corresponding face of the flange at a point removed from the edge of the flange to hold the anchor from movement longitudinally of the rail, and means for holding the auchor from movement with respect to a tie.

25. A rail anchor adapted to be applied to a rail by movement transversely of the rail into engagement with the base flange of the rail, comprising a bearing for the top face of the flange, a bearing for the bottom face of the flange, one of said bearings being` brought` by the transverse movement into engagement With a depression in the corresponding face of the flange at a point removed frein the edge of the flange for holdingthe anchor from movement. longitudinally of the rail, and meansv for holding the anchor from movement with respect to a tie.

26. A rail anchor adapted to be applied to a rail by movement transversely of the rail into engagement with the base flange. comprising a bearing for one of the faces of the flange, and means for holding the anchor from movement with respect to a tie,

the said bearing being adapted upon` its movement transversely of the rail to cut a ytransverse groove in the face of the flange for assisting in holdingl the anchor from vv.movement longitudinally of the rail.

rail by movement transversely of the rail into engagement with the base flange, vand means for holding the anchor from movement with respect to a tie, one end of the clip being adapted upon its movement transversely of the vrail to out a transverse groove in the face of the flange for assisting in holding the anchor from movement longitudinally of therail.

' 2S.l A railranchor adapted to be applied to arrail by movement transversely of the rail into vengagement* with the base flange, comprising a bearing for one of the faces of the flange, and means for holding the anchor fiom` movement. with respect to a tie, the said bearing being adapted upon its movement transversely of the rail to c'ut a transverse groove in the face of the flange from a point renioved'from tlieedge of the Y flange and extending toward the web of the vrail for assisting Vin holding the anchor "from movement longitudinally of the rail.

n 29. A railanchor comprising a clip adaptedto be appliedin gripping position on a `rail Iby movement transversely `of the 'rail yinto engagement with the base flange, and

means for holding 'the anchor` from movement with respect to a tie, the end of the lupper arm of the clip beingadaptediiponV its movementtransversely of the rail to cut a transverse groove in the yupper face of the flange from a point removed from the edge of the flange andL extending toward the web of the rail for assisting in holding vthe ann chor from. movement longitudinally of thea. Y rail. A 30. A rail anchor comprising a member formed of low grade'steel and provided at one end with a jaw adapted to beV driven into resilienty gripping engagement with the base flange and formed at theother vend with -a relatively low shoulder adapted to snap over thevedge of the rail base, and a second member adapted to be `driven into `position embracing both the flange and the first named member. l' 'y 3l. A rail anchor comprising a rail base embracing member and a gripping member for engaging the under surface of a rail base and a gripping member adapted to be ldriven into gripping engagement with one flange of said rail base and withsaid first. mentioned member; one of said membersbe- `ing provided with a portion having a snap engagement with the other member for holding the anchor in grippingposition on y the rail. y

33. A' rail anchor comprising ra member ,for engaging the under surface of the rail base and a gripping member adapted to be driven into gripping engagement with one flange of said rail base and with saidfirst mentioned member; saidA members being formed with coengaging shoulder portions adapted to have asnap engagement with each other for holding the anchor in gripping position on the rail. f

34;. A rail anchor comprising a member for engaging the under surfaceof the rail base and a gripping member adapted to be driven into gripping engagement with the y upper surface of the rail base and with the under surface of said first mentioned ineinber and having a snap engagement with the latter, said gripping member being formed to confine it in operative engagement with the rail to a point remote from the adjacent ledge ofthe rail base. i j

35. A device for preventing the longitu- 'dinal creep of railroad rails comprising a plateadapted to extend transversely under the rail base, a member having upper and lower jaws adapted, respectively, to extend transverselyover one of the rail base flanges and under said plate, and having a snap `engagement withy said plate` to hold said lmembersfin their operative position on the rail; said upper jaw being formed to pro-` vide clearance between it and the upper surface of the rail base adjacent the edge of said base'- Y j i 36. A device for preventing the longitudinal creep of railroadrails, comprising a member having upper and lower jaws adapted, respectively, to extend transyversely over and under oneof the rail base tive distance between said jaws sufficiently to make it necessary to spring said member Vfrom its normal shape when `driving it transversely onto said base flange.

^ 37. A device. for preventing the longitudi-V nal creep of `railroad rails, comprising a member having upper and lower aws adapted, respectively,`to extend transversely over and under one -of the rail base flanges, Vand a` plate interposed between the upper side Aof the lower jaw andthe under side of the rail base for decreasing the effective distance between said jaws sufliciently to make it necessary to yspring said member from itsV normal shape when driving it transversely onto said base flange, said plate having means coengaging with the rail base to prevent slippage of the plate transversely of the rail base.

38. A device for preventing the longitudinal creep of railroad rails, comprising a member having upper and lower jaws adapted, respectively, to extend transversely over and under one of the rail base flanges, and a plate interposed between the upper side of the lower jaw and the under side of the rail base for decreasing the effective dis tance between said jaws sufficiently to make it necessary to spring said member from its normal shape when driving` it transversely onto said base flange, said plate having means co-engaging with the rail base to pre'- vent slippage of the plate transversely of the rail base, and said lower jaw and said plate having co-engaging means to prevent slippage of said member transversely of said plate.

39. A device for preventing the longitudinal creep of railroad rails, comprising a member having upper and lower jaws adapted, respectively, to extend transversely over and under one of the rail base flanges, and a plate interposed between the upper side of the lower jaw and the under side of the rail base for decreasing the effective distance between said jaws sufficiently to make it necessary to spring said member from its normal shape when driving it transversely onto said base flange, said plate having means co-engaging with the rail base to pre vent slippage of the plate transversely of the rail base, and said lower jaw and said plate having coengaging means to prevent slippage of said member ransversely and longitudinally of said plate.

etO. A device for preventing the longitudinal creep of railroad rails, comprising a plate adapted to extend transversely under the rail base and having upstanding projections adapted to engage the edges of the respective base flanges, and a member having upper and lower jaws adapt-ed, respectively, to extend transversely over one of the rail base flanges and under said plate, the distance between the jaws of said member, when the 'latter is free of the rail and said plate, being less than the thickness of that part of the base flange and the plate embraced by said jaws.

41. A device for preventing the longitudinal creep of railroad rails, comprising a plate adapted to extend transversely under the rail base and having on its top sidc upstanding projections adapted to engage the edges of the respective base flanges and on its bottom side a downwardly extending should-er, and a member having upper and lower jaws adapted, respectively, to extend transversely over one of the rail base flanges and under said plate, the distance between the jaws of said member, when the latter is free of the rail and said plate, being less than the thickness of' that part of the base flange and the plate embraced by said jaws, said lower jaw having an upstanding projection adapted to engage said shoulder when the device is applied to the rail.

42. Means for preventing the longitudinal creep of railroad rails comprising a plate member adapted to extend transversely under the rail base and having upstanding projections adapted to engage the edges of the respective base flanges, and a device having an upper jaw and a lower jaw member adapted, respectively, to extend transversely over one of' the rail base flanges and under said plate member, the distance between said jaw and said jaw member, when saidY device is free of the rail and said plate member, being less than the thickness of that part of the base flange and the plate member embraced by said jaw and jaw member, one of said members having spaced ribs while the other of said members is formed so that a portion thereof will lie between said ribs when the members are on the rail, for the purpose specified.

4:3. Means for preventing the longitudinal creep of railroad rails comprising a plate member adapted to extend transversely under the rail base and having on its top sideV upstanding projections adaptedto engage the edges of the respective base flanges and on its bottom side a downwardly extending shoulder, and a, device having an upper aw and a lower jaw member adapted, respectively, to extend transversely over one of the rail base flanges -fa-nd under said plate member, the distance between said jaw and said jaw member, when said device is free of' the rail and said plate member, beingless than the thickness of that part of the base flange and the plate member embraced by said jaw and jaw member, one of said members having spaced ribs while the other of saidl members is formed so'that a portion thereof will lie between said ribs, said jaw member having an upstanding projection adapted to engagesaid shoulder when the device is applied to the rail.

lill. A device for preventing the longitudinal creep of railroad rails comprising a plate adapted to extend transversely under the rail base, and a member having` upper and lower jaws adapted, respectively, to extend transversely over one of the rail base flanges and under said plate, the distance between the jaws of said member, when the latter is free of the rail and said plate, being less than the thickness of that part of the base flange and the plate embraced by said jaws, the length of said jaws not exceeding substantially one-half the width of the rail base.

45. A device for preventingkthe longitudinal creep of railroad rails comprising a plate adapted to extend transversely under the rail base, said plate having means coengaging with the rail base to prevent slippage of the plate transversely of the rail base, and a member having upper and lower jaws adapted, respectively, to extend transversely over one of the rail base flanges and under said plate, the` vdistance between the jaws of said member, when the latter is free of the rail and said plate, being less than the thickness of that part of the base flange and the plate embraced by said ja-ws, the length of said jaws not exceeding substantially one-half the width of the rail base.

4 6. A device for preventing the longitudinal creep of railroad rails comprising a plate adapted to extend transversely under the rail base, and a member having upper and lower jaws adapted, respectively, to extend transversely over one of the rail base flanges and under said plate, the distance between the jaws of said member, when the latter is free of the rail and said plate, be-f ing lessthan the thickness of that part of the base flange and the plate embraced by said jaws, the length of said jaws not exceeding substantially one-hallc the width of the rail base, said plate having means coengagmg with the rail base to prevent slippage of the plate transversely of the rail.

base, and said lower jaw and said plate yhaving co-engaging means to prevent slipmember transversely of said flanges and under said plate, the distance e between the aws of said member, when the latter is free of the rail and said plate, being less than the thickness of that part of the base flange and the plateemhraced by said jaws, the length of said jaws not exceeding Substantially one-half the width of the lrail base, said plate having means coengaging with the rail base to prevent slip-y page of the plate transversely of the rail base, and said lower jaw and said plate having co-engaging means tor prevent slippage of said member transversely and lon gitudinally ,of said plate rnnnnnion armasron, 

